Collectables Guide
"The Contemporary Art Society is the national organisation for contemporary collecting. Supporting makers and engaging with the ideas and concerns behind their practice should always be at the heart of collecting, and buying directly from artists and makers is arguably the best way to do so. Cockpit Arts provides an important nurturing environment for makers, where criticality and affordability are combined. As those in the know will testify, the current economic downturn means this is a great time to be buying high-quality, critically-engaged and affordable work by talented individuals, providing vital support for those who make life a little bit more inspirational in trying times." Paul Hobson, Director, Contemporary Arts Society
Now is a great time to invest in craft and in this guide leading experts tell us their recommended Cockpit Arts designer-makers to buy from:
Jacqueline Gestetner Selects:
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Jane Adam
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Jane Adam is well known for her pioneering work in anodised aluminium and more recently in fine silver and gold. Her work can be seen internationally in galleries, exhibitions and public collections including most recently the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and Hove Museum. Her work exploits subtleties of colour and the dynamics of mark making and surface texture. Her working methods are based on observation and experimentation, encouraging forms to grow organically through stretching and distortion, typically transforming a simple shape into a tactile three-dimensional object that may evoke natural forms such as shells, leaves or fish.
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Catherine Hammerton
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Catherine produces bespoke and off the peg wallpaper ranges and soft furnishings for the design conscious consumer. An RCA graduate, she has a multi-textural yet functional approach to traditional wallpaper and textiles and embraces traditional craft techniques alongside cutting edge digital technology. Clients include Liberty of London, Bon Marche Paris, and ABC Homes and Carpets New York, as well as independent outlets across the UK, Europe, USA and UAE.
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Sarah King
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Sarah King has pioneered the use of non-toxic bioresin in jewellery design. Her dramatic hollow resin pieces have been exhibited worldwide and she was the 2005 Winner of the Association of Contemporary Jewellery Prize. She also works in precious metals, predominantly silver and 18ct yellow gold.
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Claire Coles & Helen Johannessen
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Designer Helen Johannessen is founder of Yoyo Ceramics. She creates ranges of functional ceramics that are now immediately recognisable as Yoyo for their strong shapes and bold colors. She is currently collaborating with textile designer Claire Coles, also at Cockpit Arts, to develop a new range of work. Claire is best known for her stitched vintage wallpapers and more recently textural stitched porcelain teacups.
Yvonna Dezmenszca Selects:
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SORT
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The Society Of Revisionist Typographers aims to preserve and revive the traditional forms of print-based graphic design that are often threatened with obsolescence. They specialise in letterpress printing; offering a bespoke service for anything from personal stationery to complete corporate identities.
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Chein Wei
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Chein Wei is an award winning silversmith and metalworker. He has exhibited widely at shows including: COLLECT at the V&A, Origin and Goldsmiths' Fair and his work has been feted by the media. He is best known for his exquisite ladles. He says of his work: "I believe there is a very intimate relationship between an object and its collector. Each ladle reflects each individual and has its own journey to go".
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Jacqueline Cullen
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Chein Wei is an award winning silversmith and metalworker. He has exhibited widely at shows including: COLLECT at the V&A, Origin and Goldsmiths' Fair and his work has been feted by the media. He is best known for his exquisite ladles. He says of his work: "I believe there is a very intimate relationship between an object and its collector. Each ladle reflects each individual and has its own journey to go".
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Ruth Tomlinson
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A recipient of a Coutts New Jeweller Award this year, Ruth Tomlinson's inspiration comes from the idea of lifecycles, change in nature and the history of jewellery. She has four collections to date including 'Encrustations' - inspired by stories of forgotten underwater worlds, using jewels and colours of the sea, pearl, coral and aquas embedded in layers of silver.
Corinne Julius Selects:
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Ndidi Ekubia
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Ndidi Ekubia works with a rhythmic process of making, using silversmithing hand raising techniques, pushing the metal to emphasise the fluid vitality of each form. With commissioned work she encourages personal collaboration to create intimate and ultimately functional objects. Her work is in the permanent collection at the V&A and has been auctioned at Sotheby's.
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Louisa Taylor
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Inspired by 18th century porcelain vessels and the rituals of dining, Louisa's stacking tableware is multifunctional and ideal for contemporary living. The cup has been integrated with the saucer and therefore can stack on top of another. The small cream jug can function as a lid to the sugar pot to become a tidy set. Louisa is a graduate from the Royal College of Art and received a Development Award from the Crafts Council in 2008.
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Linda Florence
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Linda Florence's bespoke wallpaper and interior textiles incorporate an unusual mix of Op-art and William Morris inspired patterns. These wallpapers and textiles explore unusual materials and techniques, including silk screen printing, laser etching and flocking. Recent exhibitions include 'Touch Me' at the V&A and clients include Ted Baker and Selfridges, with commissions in both the UK and the USA.